Navagation

Sunday, February 23, 2014

The Journey of the Tree - released for sale !

You know how some things just come together
and you are fully aware the Universe is orchestrating them into being? The
concept, story and artwork in my Aesopian like fable manifested in just that
miraculous sort of way. My excitement over the project has grown enormously as
people and events have guided this work to publication – but it is a circumstance I would never have visualized 4 years ago.......

When my 10 year marriage ended, I felt like an unlovable failure. I had
spent the majority of those years being not much more than a mother with sexual
favours (can I say that?), investing so much of myself in a relationship that
was pretty one sided and narcissistic (**). I found
myself pouring my energies into fulfilling someone
else’s dreams, at the expense of my own health, longing for this person to notice,
love and care for me. One day I realised it was never going to happen, and if I was going to live a life that fulfilled me – one where I allowed myself to
be happy – I had to find the courage to change things. This is the story of
that journey.

After I bravely left this unhealthy relationship
and began to heal, I found myself seeking release in writing and art. Utilizing
products from the local landscape and a stash of dress making fabrics, our home quickly turned into an artist’s
studio. My children wanted to join in all the fun of making
collages, so for a couple of weeks we lived in a whirlwind of glue, fabric,
sequins and paper mache! ‘The Journey of the Tree’ - my journey - was born, and as the work
came together, I realized it was something many people would relate to, and
find encouragement from.

The book is written for the senior primary age group, but it is also a beautiful tool that can be used to explain to a partner
how close to breaking point you are feeling relationally. As was the case in my
relationship, my own words never seemed to get through, but, like the parables
of Jesus, sometimes a story is an inoffensive way of helping a message be
heard.

Because of
the books illustrated nature, it also makes a great gift, particularly for those going
through a traumatic time relationally. It provides a gentle nudge
towards making healthy changes – whether that’s seeking counseling,
setting boundaries, or leaving destructive circumstances. We all need to coureagously follow that still small voice telling us to make changes that "will keep us from dying completely."

I love
most of all that it is a parable with many layers, and being in a simple
genuine style, it is as suitable for older primary students as it is for their parents. Everyone on the planet deserves
to be in a loving relationship, and to live a life honouring their
heart.

'May this story inspire you to know that you are
worthy of total love, harmony and abundance'

"There is no triumph without courage"

(**) Narcissism is a term that originated with Narcissus in Greek mythology who fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool of water. Currently it is used to describe the pursuit of gratification from vanity, or egotistic admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, that derive from arrogant pride.

Interestingly, co-dependent personalities are drawn to narcissists relationally - that is an area I need to focus on for improvement !